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Blotter, Dec. 13, 2012

A man in the 2500 block of Moonridge Drive reported a loss of nearly $4,000 after mail was stolen from his mailbox, according to the Grand Junction Police Department. Checks written out to pay bills, which had been left in letters inside the man’s mailbox, were stolen, police said.

The suspect then used electronic checks to make several purchases.

“We’ve received several reports similar to this recently and we strongly advise people who are mailing out checks or gift cards to use secured U.S. Postal Service mailboxes or mail them at a post office instead of the traditional mailboxes in front of their homes,” police spokeswoman Kate Porras said.

Man freezes after crash

Richard Lee “Red” Stephenson, 84, of Whitewater, died of hypothermia in what has been ruled an accident, the Mesa County Coroner’s office said Wednesday. Stephenson’s body was discovered by his son Tuesday morning, several feet from his vehicle near milepost 143 on Colorado Highway 141. Authorities believe his 2005 Chevrolet Impala went off the road sometime between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday. Troopers were called around 10:35 a.m. Tuesday after the discovery of the body. Troopers have said he was not wearing a seatbelt and speed was a suspected factor in the crash.

Cops: Man smashed pipe

Anthony S. Gallegos, 32, was arrested on suspicion of tampering with physical evidence after he allegedly shattered a glass pipe on the ground, suspected for methamphetamine use, moments after he was contacted by a Mesa County sheriff’s deputy Tuesday night at the C & F Food Store, 422 32 Road, according to an arrest affidavit.

According to the Grand Junction Police Department:

■ Alissa Romero, 19, address unavailable, was issued a summons for suspicion of underage consumption of alcohol after being involved in a traffic crash Wednesday at U.S. Highway 50 and Unaweep Avenue.

■ Sarah Stacy, 34, address unavailable, was cited Monday on suspicion of DUI and careless driving after being involved in a crash at U.S. Highway 50 and Grand Mesa Avenue.

■ Glen Arellano, 45, and Artie Valdez, 53, addresses unavailable, were cited Monday on suspicion of disorderly conduct after being contacted at Walmart, 2881 North Ave.

■ Victoria Hopkins-Gordon, 35, address unavailable, was cited Monday on suspicion of shoplifting less than $1,000 from Walmart, 2881 North Ave.

■ A loss was more than $1,000 after a check was altered and cashed at Walmart, 2881 North Ave., on Nov. 16.

According to the Mesa County Sheriff’s Department:

■ Deputies completed six civil evictions between Dec. 4 and this past Monday.

■ Kevin Holland, 48, was arrested Nov, 28 at the Mesa County Justice Center on suspicion of failure to comply with probation.